How bad are Stereotypes in the media

I was thinking that most of my life I have believed in the assumption that stereotypes are always wrong and that they produce a big damage to society and to victim groups. But then I realized that this might not be always true. Stereotypes under certain circumstances can lead to a better understanding of other cultures and groups when there is no a previous idea about them. Actually, I think that what is bad, is not the stereotypes, it is actually the fact that some people do not have the ability to analyze them. Some people start believing that stereotypes are true, but when they found someone coming from a different background victim of any kind of stereotypes, they soon realize that the stereotypes were not true. I think that is actually very few people who insist in stereotyping. Keeping stereotypes just mean to me ignorance given the lack of contact with different groups of people. There are also many who will interiorize the stereotype and start behaving in a way according to the stereotype of their ethnic, religious or gender identity and this is because of the lack of critical analysis in people.

So, what are the benefits of stereotypes in the media? If we train our critical thinking we would be able to learn from the stereotypes portrayed in the media, avoiding making generalization, but seeing what values an cultural elements of a group can be identified, and the improving our knowledge about the identity of the group. Probably one of the cases of stereotyping that I remember the most is the case of Speedy Gonzales. This is one animated character of a Mexican mouse created by the Warner Brothers. He is always wearing a Mexican folkloric hat and saying Spanish phrases.  Speedy is clearly a stereotype of Mexicans who live in the border locations like Tijuana and for some fans of the political correctness might result offensive. However, Speedy had a great impact in divulging cultural elements of the Mexican society. Probably after this animated cartoon many American are able to tell how the national costume of Mexico looks like.

Evolution and Faith

Today during the biology class we had a special guest speaker. Dr. Brian Jones from the religion department talked about why he as Christian accepts Darwin´s theory of evolution, even some people may argue that there is a conflict between these two. He began his speech giving an explanation of what is the theory of evolution. He focused specially in the evidence that supports evolution, like the artificial breeding of dogs and the finding of vestigial organs in different species. Then, he started saying that one of the reasons of why he accepts this theory is because there are many scientific fields of study that support this, like paleontology, archaeology and off course biology and the he presented more argument to support his thesis.

Dr. Jones speech was interesting. However most of what he said was not something that I haven’t heard before.  For me it is clear that we cannot accept the literal meaning of the bible and that this book should be seen according to the epoch and context from it came. I believe that seeing what the bible says as an absolute truth is as “bad” as trying to explain all our existence based on the evolution theory. But as humans we have a tendency to “go to the poles” in a binominal way of think. This means that we tend to believe only reality is one element or the other failing in recognize how there may be an intermediate between both of them. It is always YES or NOT, BLACK or WHITE, GOD or SCIENCE. We cannot explain why we are here based only on one of these perceptions. I believe that as humans we have a lot of gifts that it is just impossible so many favorable coincidences, there is something else out there.  I also think that the scientists who argue against the existence of God are really wasting their time; there are mysteries that science cannot explain and probably is never going to explain. Is not about duality, is about making our own connections and creating our own perception.

State of Fear and a reflection about global warming

I must admit that for the last reading quiz about State of Fear I did not feel enough confident, probably because at that moment I was just a few pages to finish the first chapter (Akamai). At the beginning it was difficult for me to understand what was really happening in the book. I felt that they were so man they were so many characters and places.   However I been reading the book this weekend and I am starting to feel interested about it. What I am enjoying more about the novel is that Michael Crichton shows much evidence that make you doubt about how real is the theory of the global warming. Some part of the novel seems more Crichton trying to persuade the reader to consider different points of view about the topic of global warming. I think that Crichton represents himself with the character of Kennel, because this is the character that represents the skepticism.

I think that Crichton has a point with that we should be more critic and analytic of all the information that we receive, however, the fact that the global warming is not something completely certain, does not means that we should sit and relax because all that is not true. The scientists have a concept named the precaution principle, this means that when there is something that seems to be affecting people or the environment in some way, those affected need to provide evidnce that there is a relation with X activity and Y effect, while those who actually perform the activity, need to show evidence that there is no relation between X activity and Y effect. But the most important thing of the precautionary principle is that the lack of full scientific evidence does not mean that the measures to protect the environment from a serious threat should not be done.

Crichton says that many “crisis” of the past were fake or not that serious and that might be true. But in the case of global warming we are risking the equilibrium of the earth. The discrepancy between scientists makes this like a playing with dice. We need to something.  If the global warming turn to be rejected theory, we cannot feel bad, because many of the changes that we need to do to reduce our greenhouse gases, are changes that will still benefit us in a certain way. 

The Green Lifestyle

Many times I have asked myself this question: Why is important to live a green lifestyle? When you think about how all the system is made in such a way that you are always tempted to waste energy and resources, living a green lifestyle is a big challenge and sometimes a big sacrifice. Therefore, it is important to understand why it is necessary.  Many people will argue that in order to beat the environmental degradation the changes need to come from the government and big companies, because individual lifestyles cannot make a big difference. However I think that people who live green lifestyles have a bigger impact on the world, more than just smaller carbon footprint or water consumption. When someone is brave enough to go against the status quo and adopt new habits, they influence people on their surroundings and show that it is actually possible.

Two years ago I decided to become vegetarian, which means that I do not eat any meat or chicken. For me not eating this kind of food is not a big challenge, actually I enjoy more other types of meal in my dish. But what I have found really challenging is how other people react towards my vegetarianism. For instance, when someone invites me to eat, I have to first tell this person that I am not going to eat the meat. Most of the times people gets worried because they feel I am not going to be satisfied with the other thing for eating. That is very annoying because I don’t like them to worry.   However I feel that every day many people are becoming vegetarian. I believe that vegetarianism is one of the best ways to be more consistent with the environment. When people ask me why I am vegetarian I have the chance to tell them that meat production is one of the most pollution producers industries. With the calories required to feed a cow or pig many people could be directly feed and also the way that animals are raised is cruel and non-hygienic.  

I don’t like to say that just because I decided to adopt vegetarianism I am a green person. Actually I believe that I still have many things to change. However I know that these changes have influenced my family and friends.

The occupy wall st.

Recently, the newspapers have been publishing more and more information about the Occupy Wall St. movement. I find this movement really interesting, but what I find even more interesting is how this has been gradually growing. At the beginning, it was only a few manifestations in some big cities of the country. Now, people all around the United States are joining together to support this movement. A few days ago I was walking outside the Mensa and I saw a poster endorsing the Occupy Cedar Valley, which means that even in Waverly we are getting the influence of Occupy Wall St. Cool!

They are asking for a change in the government that during history has been giving a lot of benefits to the big banks and corporations, which they remark as responsible of the big debt in the economy of the country. Thus people are manifesting in different ways. I read a journal that says that one million Americans have recently closed their accounts with the big banks and moved to a credit union. For these banks, losing a million customers may not sound good at all.

They also complain to a bigger issue behind the debt crisis, the fact that only 1% of the population in the United States manages most of the money of the country, while the other 99% has to share a smaller wealth.

It is very exciting for me to see what is going to happen in relation with the Occupy Wall St movement. I personally hope that they can be able to make a change in this society, where the unequal distribution of the wealth can only be described as cruel and greedy. Especially when we know that the 1% that has all that wealth has produced it in an unfair way and by making some many other people suffer.   Like the insurance companies, that gives coverage to people based on their convenience, or the big banks that create fees in their costumers account when they like.

My Trip to Clarksville

Two months ago I started to feel an annoying sensibility in my teeth. Every time I ate something cold or hot it hurt. That is when I started to think that I probably had a cavity. I talked with many people about what was the best option for a dentist. It seems that the best was the “People Health Clinic” in a small town named “Clarksville”, because they have financial aid for people without a dental insurance.

The first time that I went there, the advisor of the International Students, Kevin Roiseland gave me a ride to there. After the X-rays, they told me that I did have a cavity and they gave another appointment for the treatment.

For this second meeting I tried to find a ride, because Clarksville is at 13 miles from Waverly. But the appointment was quite early on a Tuesday, so there were not many people who could give me a ride.

I decided to go by bicycle. Some people told me that Clarksville was so far and that droving a bike to there was not a clever idea. However I had not another option. The day before the appointment, I printed a map in order to avoid the highway route. That day I woke up early, had a good breakfast, and started pedaling to Clarksville.

For a big part of my trip, I got lost. I had not the most remote idea where I was, and I was very close to give up, lose my dental appointment and go back to Wartburg. But when I turned my head I got to see a big signal on the way that said “Clarksville 7 miles”. It was only twenty minutes before my appointment started and I decided to pedal as fast as I could. On my way, I enjoyed the rural sceneries of Iowa, the farms, the cows, the big plantations and the noisy railroad.

A police truck came next to me. The police officer looked at me and said “Hey, where you going”. I explained to him that I was going to Clarksville and he replied “Well, be careful with highway”. Then I continued pedaling. I found a Snickers chocolate on the street, probably because the night before was Halloween.

I got on time to my appointment. They filled the cavity and know I can eat perfectly. When I leave of the dentist office, I told the lady in the desk that I came from Waverly on a bike. Another lady who was sitting there was surprised about that, and she offered me to give me a ride back to Wartburg.

We putted the bike on her car and we had a nice conversation on the way back, she told me about her family and she bought a sandwich in subway for me. I was embarrassed because she and her son (who was also there) were really nice with me.

 I realized how people with just by simple things like giving a ride to someone can make a person really happy. That day I had a significant lesson about solidarity and humbleness.